GSO Dob / Teflon

[Solanum]

I've noticed some white residue on the alt fittings of my GSO dob. I remember when I got it some advice about the teflon pads. A quick site search reveals a lot of posts, many about ebony star (whatever that is!).

So, does this white residue indicate the teflon pads wearing? If so, what should I replace them with? I guess if friction gets too little the scope would become unstable!

Any advice?

[Tannehill]

it's normal, especially on a new scope. those pads, albeit thin, should last for years...they are virgin teflon thru and thru. Key point on a GSO dob, tho, is to make sure that center staple, that affixes the pad to the trunion (or the ground board for the az) doesn't work it's way up and scratch the bearing surface. That can easily happen if the scope vibrates a certain way for hours on end in a car or such. Just find a tool of some kind to tap it (the staple) back down below the surface of the teflon

s

[GrahamL]

Hi

The teflon does were a little and does what your seeing
you can clean the board up with a soft nylon scourer
If the staple ever does look like it will contact .. you can prise the pads off
flip them run a small drill bit through the centre and then a touch with a countersinking bit and its good for many more years .

[Solanum]

Ah, that's a relief. Thanks!

[astro_nutt]

Whilst building one of my mounts..instead of using teflon..I made up some pads from an old nylon chopping board..to make them fit a bit better against the hub..(in the "V" cutout) I shaped them by holding a piece of 800 grade wet and dry around an old paint can near the same diameter as the hub then gently sand the pad in one direction around the tin..after say 20-30 strokes see how it fits against the hub..drill a countersunk hole and give each pad another 5 strokes..( to get rid of any burrs).. clean them with some metho and they're ready!
Cheers!